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Pacific Sideband

Monadenia

fidelis

A member of the family Xanthonychidae (“air-breathing land snails”) this is the largest native terrestrial snail in BC. Monadenia species create “love darts”, tiny hardened projectiles used during courtship. Formerly provincially blue listed (special concern) this species is now considered secure, but due to its unique nature we have decided to continue profiling it!

A “pulmonate” snail, this species has evolved their mantle cavity into a lung (instead of gills as still found in some snails). Breathing is through a single opening on the right side of the body which either remains open or opens and closes.Shell diameter 3.5 cm+,shell diameter is 1.3 to 1.5 times shell height. The largest land snail in BC, the shell has 6.5 to 7 whorls with a thin black line along the bottom of each whorl. Shell colour ranges from chestnut to dark rose with vertical bands (sometimes lacking). Light, mustard coloured individuals are common at some localities; these light individuals lack the characteristic banding. Some island populations may have pale white shells with dark whorl lines. The body of this snail is rosy-pink or pinkish-brown and the surface of the flesh looks deeply wrinkled or “pebbly” in texture. The aperture lip of the adult shell is thin, not thickened or flared as with Oregon forestsnail.